Aug 28 – Memorial for St. Augustine, bishop, doctor After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, Augustine (354-430) became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: “God, give me... Continue Reading →
27 August, Friday — Keeping our inner reservoirs of faith
Aug 27 – Memorial for St. Monica, married woman St. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted a heresy and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return... Continue Reading →
26 August, Thursday — Doing God’s will
Thursday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 3:7-13Mt 24:42-51 “Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment.” Today’s gospel reading speaks deeply to the ongoing geopolitical and public health uncertainty that we are facing. Indeed, the news channels have been filled with distressing images of people fleeing their own... Continue Reading →
19 June, Saturday – Depending on God
June 19 -- St Philip Minh, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs St Philip Minh and The Vietnamese Martyrs, also known as the Martyrs of Annam, Martyrs of Tonkin and Cochinchina, Martyrs of Indochina, or Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions, are saints on the General Roman Calendar who were canonized by Pope John Paul II. On June 19, 1988, thousands of overseas Vietnamese worldwide gathered at the Vatican for the Celebration of the... Continue Reading →
18 June, Friday – Strength in Vulnerability
Friday of Week 11 in Ordinary Time 2 Cor 11:18,21-30Mt 6:19-23 If I am to boast, I let me boast of my own feebleness In today’s readings, we are reminded that the Christian faith can often put us at odds with the expectations of the secular world. In the first reading, St Paul relates the many physical torments... Continue Reading →
17 June, Thursday – Our Divine Parent
Thursday of Week 11 in Ordinary Time 2 Cor 11:1-11Mt 6:7-15 “...your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” In today’s Gospel readings, Jesus continues to teach us how to pray. But while He told us what not to do in yesterday’s readings, today He has given us the very specific manual to... Continue Reading →
16 June, Wednesday – Dialogue with Divinity
Wednesday of Week 11 in Ordinary Time 2 Cor 9:6-11Mt 6:1-6,16-18 “...and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will repay you.” One of my favourite bible verses of all time is Heb 11:1, “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen”. It speaks to the... Continue Reading →
7 June, Monday – Living as Spiritual Beings
Jun 7 -- Monday of Week 10 in Ordinary Time 2 Cor 1:1-7Mt 5:1-12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” Today’s Gospel reading is my favourite passage from the Bible. To me, it encapsulates all that Jesus has taught. It prepares us for the suffering that we will face in... Continue Reading →
27 February, Saturday — Standing Out, Standing Up
Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent Dt 26:16-19Mt 5:43-48 “You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Today’s gospel readings are an extension of yesterday’s, particularly in its call for us to love our enemies. Indeed, both readings are asking us to forgive our enemies and to love everyone. To illustrate what He... Continue Reading →
26 February, Friday — Loving the Unlovable
Friday of the 1st Week of Lent Ez 18:21-28Mt 5:20-26 Go first and be reconciled with your brother. I have always found today’s gospel passage to be one of the hardest biblical passages to live out. Jesus is telling us that unless we reconcile with those whom we have offended or wronged, we continue to live... Continue Reading →
